32 Stunning Autumn Flowers That'll Bring Instant Colour to Your Garden

1ChrysanthemumsGetty Images

Chrysanthemums are the ultimate autumn flower. They’re sturdy, don’t mind a light frost and come in a rainbow of colours. Technically, they’re perennials, but they won’t come back if you don’t get them in the ground by mid to late summer because they need to get their root systems established before the ground freezes.

They’re inexpensive enough to enjoy for one season, and some do occasionally return, even if planted late.

2Calibrachoa calibrachoa sunny lemon yellow flowers in outdoor planter Catherine McQueen//Getty Images

This colourful annual will bloom until the first frost, making it an ideal summer-to-autumn type of flower. It thrives in full sunlight to partial shade, and it’s known as a self-cleaning plant, meaning it drops its spent flowers on its own.

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3Petunia cluster petunia flower plant botany Roberto Machado Noa//Getty Images

Petunias will typically produce blooms until the first frost. They’re generally easy to care for, and they’re great for bringing a pop of colour to your front-door autumn display.

4Verbena purple verbena in the garden real444//Getty Images

Also known as vervain, this vibrant autumn flower often has an extended growing period. While it typically stops producing blooms early in the season, some species can grow well into September and October.

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5Amaranth amaranthus cruentus x powellii TonyBaggett//Getty Images

Thanks to their beautiful burgundy colour, amaranth plants make for wonderful additions to your autumn garden (though they come in many other hues, too). They will only bloom until the first frost and are stunning in autumnal bouquets.

6Bluebeard bearded flower (caryopteris × clandonensis blue balloon) imageBROKER/McPHOTO//Getty Images

Also known as blue mist, this flowering shrub typically blooms through September. Pale blue flowers cover the plant during summer and early autumn, and once the flowers turn to seed, the birds feast on them. For the best blooms, plant this shrub in full sun.

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7Coneflowers a bee on a flower Jacky Parker Photography//Getty Images

Also known as echinacea, coneflowers are wildflowers beloved by pollinators, like butterflies and bees, and even songbirds. They’re quite durable and can thrive in moist or dry soil.

8Canna Lilies canna Photography by Alexandra Rudge//Getty Images

While these may look like a tropical, heat-loving bloom, canna lilies actually thrive from late August into autumn. Just be sure to place them in a sunny spot.

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9Nemesias white nemesis flowers sansa55//Getty Images

With a name meaning “nemesis,” this flower sounds much more menacing than it is. These annuals thrive in sandy soil and often remain in bloom until the first frost.

10Roses red roses garden on a blurry background A. Martin UW Photography//Getty Images

With more than 300 varieties, roses are some of the most versatile flowering shrubs out there. This annual will continue to bloom into late autumn, so pick a hue that contrasts nicely with the colour of the changing foliage.

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11CelosiaPhotos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world//Getty Images

Also called cockscomb for its resemblance to a rooster’s feathers, this flower has vibrant, feather-like blooms in warm tones of pink, red and burgundy.

12Sweet Alyssum flowers alissum. close up. background. texture. Far700//Getty Images

Sweet alyssum has dainty pink or white flowers that look beautiful tumbling over the edges of containers or spilling over walls. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s reasonably hardy and will tolerate a light frost.

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13African Daisies osteospermum ecklonis flowers dimorfoteca Paolo Carnassale//Getty Images

Also called blue-eyed daisies, African daisies are known for their stunning petal gradient. The white, pink, yellow, red and purple flowers often have blue or purple centres.

14GoldenrodGetty//Getty Images

This clump-forming perennial will add a bit of brightness and sunshine to any garden. They’re easy to grow and are a great source of late-season nectar for bees and butterflies.

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15Asters michaelmas daisy Getty Images

These perennials kick into high gear when everything else in the garden is beginning to fade. They come in shades of blue, lavender, pink and purple and start blooming around the same time that chrysanthemums do.

16Fountain grass looking into bed of wild purple fountain grass Alex Walker

While not technically a flower, fountain grass wonderfully complements most autumn blooms. The tall, stately spikes add texture and interest and function as filler plants to the bouquet of your garden.

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17Black-eyed Susan black eyed susan Hazysunimages//Getty Images

These bright yellow flowers with brown or black button centres are ideal for autumn gardens. Black-eyed Susans usually bloom from mid-summer to mid-autumn for months of reliable colour. There are annual and perennial types, so read the plant tag or description so you know what you’re buying.

18BeautyberryGetty Images

These fast-growing shrubs are beautiful in every season. Some boast dark purple foliage. Beautyberry flowers in spring or summer, and the pretty purple berries appear in autumn and last into winter.

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19Coral Bells fire chief TorriPhoto

Grown primarily for its colourful foliage, heuchera, also called coral bells, is a cold-tolerant perennial that comes in every shade of the rainbow, from deep burgundy to lime green. The stunning, frilly leaves add pops of colour to your garden long after your other annuals have faded.

20Helenium the red spotted purple butterfly limenitis astyanax is species of north american brush footed butterfly, common throughout much of the eastern united states it has red spots on its underside and the top of the wings are notable for their iridescent blue markings Danita Delimont//Getty Images

Helenium was once used as snuff, earning its nickname sneezeweed. This flower comes in deeply saturated shades of red, orange and yellow, and blooms from late summer to autumn. Place it at the back of borders for late-season colour and to attract butterflies, who adore this plant.

Headshot of Meghan Shouse

Meghan Shouse is House Beautiful’s Digital Editor, and she’s been with the team since September 2023. On top of being the magazine’s go-to Waco expert, Meghan also touches on quite a few other verticals in the digital space, like hot news content featuring your favorite HGTV stars, home design inspiration, and the latest interior TikTok trends. However, her favorite pieces are the ones that start conversations, such as stories about resale value and whether or not the Solo cup is chic. Before becoming a home writer, Meghan worked in the fashion industry for two years, writing for Harper’s Bazaar after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in apparel merchandising. When she’s not interviewing interior designers about home trends, you can find Meghan reading a fictional thriller with her cat in her lap, planning themed parties, or strolling through flea markets searching for chunky candle holders and vintage bookends.

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